The Park Ridge School District is committed to the mission of educating all students to achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards at all grade levels. The district will nurture all students to be life long learners, ethical and responsible citizens, and independent, productive members of a global society.

Intervention & Referral Services

(I&RS)

The I&RS Teams at East Brook,

West Ridge and the Middle School/

High School serve to support the

needs of students who are

experiencing some level of

difficulty within the general

education program. In collaboration

with the teacher and parent, the team

recommends intervention strategies

designed to support the needs of the

learner.

What is I&RS?

The I&RS Team is a group of professional

Educators who convene at the request of either a family or staff member for the

purpose of determining if special interventions/strategies are needed to help the student be successful in school.

The team then recommends which interventions/strategies would be most effective. Each team is composed of one of the student’s teachers, a case coordinator and other members as appropriate.

Parents are highly encouraged to participate as well.

Simply put, our mission is to assist staff with interventions/strategies that will promote increased success for at risk students.

What kinds of needs are reviewed by I&RS?

When a child experiences difficulties that

affect his or her academic progress, or has

exhibited behavior that interferes with learning,

the teacher may request support from I&RS.

Student difficulties may include problems responding to written or verbal information,

organizing, focusing, and/or completing work

without constant teacher intervention.

How does I&RS help a teacher and student?
I&RS supports the teacher and student by

developing an intervention plan that may

provide alternative strategies. The

interventions are designed to support the

student in achieving success within the general

education program.

How are parents informed?
The teacher discusses his or her concerns with

the student’s parents prior to requesting

assistance from I&RS. Once, the teacher submits

the request for assistance the assigned case

coordinator will also reach out to the parent.

What happens during an I&RS meeting?
Following a teacher’s submission of an I&RS request,

a meeting of the I&RS team is scheduled. At the meeting

the teacher describes the student and the challenge.

He or she will identify both successful and unsuccessful strategies used, as well as current efforts. Alternative means of intervention and new approaches are suggested. A plan of action is developed by specifying goals, strategies to be used, and the individuals responsible for each action. A time line is established for implementing the plan and assessing its effectiveness.

How is follow-up provided?

The action plan is monitored by the classroom teacher and the I&RS team. At a time specified within the plan, the I&RS team meets again to report on its success. If a child’s needs are not being met by the initial plan, additional interventions may be suggested and modifications made to the plan.

Is this the same a referral for Special Education? Under what circumstances might a referral be made to the Child

Study Team?

I&RS recommends actions intended to help resolve the challenge identified to prevent referral to the Child Study Team. If the actions taken and resources used are not adequate and the problem still remains, the child’s needs may suggest referral to the Child Study Team. Parents will participate in the decision as to whether a Child Study Team referral will be made.